Yesterday Michigan’s Justin Amash won his Primary election, after months of being on the receiving end of a powerful smear campaign. Many got their hands dirtied in the mis-information effort to remove this open, honest, independent Republican lawmaker from the House of Representatives.

I admire this elected official for his stand on principle and his refusal to play games, make bad deals, or compromise essentials. Characteristically, he dared to vote “No” on a popular proposal that came up in the House, just one day before the election. That bill provided funds to assist Israel in continuing its Iron Dome defense against Hamas. In these days of terror in the Middle East, Israel is our best friend…and they need us right now! However, Congress refused to fund this expenditure within the budget, and Amash refused to add to our deficit by voting “Yes.”

I myself am a Christian and a Jew. I want the US to give Israel everything that they need to provide for their wellbeing, especially defense. However, our government is constantly making excuses for spending that is not paid for. The agreement in the House is that no new expenditures will be approved unless they are paid for through increased revenues or cuts. How hard is that to understand?

Representative Justin Amash used a supreme amount of intestinal fortitude when he cast his vote on Monday. He did exactly what I sent him to Washington to do! If only we could find more like Mr. Amash…Representatives that keep their word, and work to find honest solutions to the serious problems we face in these times.

The Michigan smear campaign against Justin Amash has failed. However, it has left a mark. Former Representative Pete Hoekstra has lost all credibility. The Michigan Right to Life has lost my support, and a “former Marine” has made himself look foolish. All involved in the smear are left with the marks to identify them for many years to come.

In last night’s victory speech, Amash expressed his personal disgust with the dirty tricks played by leaders in his own Party. This morning local Republicans offered him an opportunity to temper his words…he declined, “No, we’re not playing your game anymore, we’re not going to accept it when you smear someone for 20 months, when you hurt their family, when you hurt the community, and then have the audacity afterwards to say: ‘Oh, it’s no big deal, lets go on and act like nothing happened’…We’re not going to stand up for that anymore. We’re going to do what’s right.”

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12/ESV)

The purpose of this blog is to encourage Christ-followers to see God’s Big Picture and be a part of it.